Don Winkler Richard Schmidt Marjorie and Russ Van Galder Lynn Erickson John P Wood Gunter Voltz Pete_Bunce-1 Paul Johns Rose Dorcey 2019 Richard Hanusa George Hardie Joe Abernathy Darryl Gibson 2015 conant_hs Louis R. Wuilleumier Bob Lussow Carl Guell 1992 Vern Reller James A Lovell Jr 3 Jerry Mehlhaff Dick Wixom 2015 Deke Slayton 1988 adams_wave Knaup Bros chart Richard_Bong_photo_portrait_head_and_shoulders Hoyt Vandenberg USAF Arthur Pratt Warner John P Salzer Lyle Grimm flight cadet Joshua Sanford Jeff Baum 2015 Roy Shwery 1992 crites_dean Roy Reabe 6 Dick and Bobbie Wagner Archie Towle December 1939
The Wild Rose Idlewild Engine Sign
Wild Rose Airport Sign cropped

The Wild Rose Idlewild Engine Sign

40 YEARS, 40 STORIES

The tired old airplane engine is run-out and un-repairable; it sits rusting in its crate in a dark corner of your hangar. You realize you just can’t bear to send it to a scrap heap; isn’t there a way to put it to use?

READ MORE
40th Annual Investiture Dinner and Ceremony
Inductee group, Dave Cabelka for Lyle Grimm, Norman Florence for Alfred Gorham, Richard Schmidt, and Jeff Skiles

40th Annual Investiture Dinner and Ceremony

JOIN US

Please join us as we honor our 2026 inductees on Saturday, October 10, 2026!

RSVP TODAY
FIF Cover Spring 2026

Spring always brings a little lift to the spirit, and this issue reflects that. Trailblazers, mentors, restorers, old friends, and new adventures—stories that show why this community is so special. From archive gems to everyday airport moments, aviation keeps connecting generations. Enjoy!

Read Forward in Flight
Stearman Smile

Collecting and Preserving Wisconsin's Aviation History

Welcome to the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame, a membership organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Wisconsin aviation news and history. Learn about the men and women who are making aviation history in Wisconsin and beyond.

Become a member/supporter today so that together we can continue to honor those who advance and enhance aviation in our state. Because Wisconsin aviators need heroes, too.

Become a Member
Speaker Series

Request a Speaker

Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame speakers bring history to life through engaging, story-driven presentations. With hundreds of talks delivered over the years, our speakers tailor each presentation to fit your audience and occasion.

Read More
Hall of Fame Inductee Map
Inductee Map

Hall of Fame Inductee Map

View all of the WAHF Hall of Fame Inductees on a 1968 Wisconsin VFR sectional.

Read More

Leo J. Kohn Photography Collection

Digitization and Preservation Project

Leo J. Kohn Photography Collection

Digitization and Preservation Project